Burial-casket-box fastener.



W. D. MQL'EOD.

BURIAL GASKET ox FASTENER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1,1909.

1,010,509. Patenfed Dec.5, 1911.

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W/LL AM MGLEOU.

COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH (IO-,WASHINUTON. D c

W. D. MoLEOD.

BURIAL GASKET BOX FASTENER. APPILIOATION FILED JULY 1 1909.

1,010,509. Patented Dec. 5, 1911.

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WILLIAM D. MGLEOD, OF NECHE, NORTH DAKOTA.

BURIAL-CASKET-BOX FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 5, 1911.

Application filed July 1, 1909. Serial No. 505,450.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM D. McLEoD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Neche, in the county of Pembina, State of North Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Burial-Casket- Box Fasteners; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to attachments for burial casket boxes, and has for its object to provide a simply constructed device whereby the covers of boxes of this character may be automatically fastened without the use of screws or other fastening devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simply constructed fastening device whereby the covers of the boxes may be retained in position during transportation, and which may be readily disconnected when required for use.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction as hereafter shown and described, and then specifically pointed out in the claim, and in the drawings illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a casket box with the improved device applied. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4E isa perspective view of the portion of the attachment which is connected to the box lid. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the portion of the attachment which is connected to the body of the box. 7

The improved device is in two portions, a resilient keeper member adapted to be con nected to the bodyof the box and a catch member adapted to be attached to the cover of the box and automatically engaging the keeper.

The body of the box is represented at 10 and the cover at 11, of the usual form. The cover is provided with cleats 12-13 to enable the cover to be properly located upon the body of the box, these portions being of the usual construction.

The cover 11 may be hinged as shown at 14 at one side, if preferred, but it will he understood that the hinging is not a necessity, and does not constitute a part of the lmprovement.

One of the improved fastening devices is connected to the body near each end, but as the fastening devices are precisely alike, the description of one will sufiice for both.

The improved device comprises a plate 15 connected by screws or other suitable fastening devices 16 to the body 10 at the front,

the plate 15 being formed thin intermediate its ends as shown at 17 to produce the requisite resiliency. At its upper end the plate 15 is formed with an outwardly and downwardly directed hook 18 and with a recess 19 extending through the bight portion 18 of the hook at its rear end as shown at 19. The hook 18 is provided with recesses in its sides to form finger grips, as hereinafter explained. Secured upon the cover 11 is a plate 20, preferably in L-shape and with a barbed catch portion 21 at its lower end, the portion 21 adapted to enter the socket l9 and be engaged beneath the hooked portion 18, when the cover is closed, as shown in Fig. 3.

It will be noted that'the downwardly directed portion of the plate 22 bears against the edge of the cover 11, while the reduced barbed portion 21 bears by its inner face against the body 10 of the box, and thus serves as a support to prevent the displacement of the cover. The barbed terminals 21 it will be noted extend beneath the overhanging lip portion 18 and are protected and guarded thereby. By this simple means when the cover is closed the barbed terminal 21 entering the recess 19 displaces the hooked portion 18 and moves the latter outwardly, and passes beneath the hook portion, which immediately springs into its former position by the resiliency of the spring portion 17 The barbed portion 21 is of less width than the plate 20, or equal in width to the recess 19, so that it freely enters the same when the cover is closed. By this means the closing action is automatic, as will be obvious.

The devices 15-20 will be of metal, and as light as possible consistent with the strains to which they will be subjected. The member 15 will preferably be of steel, so that it will possess the requisite resiliency.

The improved device is simple in con struction, can be inexpensively manufactured, and operates effectually for the purposes described.

VVhat is claimed is The combination with a receptacle and its lid, of a latch comprising a spring metal plate secured at its lower end against the receptacle and having an opening formed through it adjacent to its upper end, said metal plate being bent outwardly on a line slightly below the upper end of the opening and downwardly into hook form, whereby a guide slot 19 is provided through the bight of the hook and communicating with said opening, the side edges of the hook having finger-receiving recesses, and a second plate secured upon the lid and having a portion extending downwardly therefrom and provided with outwardly extending barbs disposed to enter the guide slot of the hook and pass therethrough to the opening of the spring plate and into engagement with the hook thereof when the lid is in closed position.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM D. MQLEOD. itnesses:

WM. CRAWFORD, FRED L. LEWIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

